Autumn Purchases...and Humbuggery

Whoever does the PR for Autumn should get an award, because if you ask me, it is decidedly not all it is cracked up to be.

I am not an autumn/winter person. Tights are the undergarment of the devil, layers feel like a particularly effective straitjacket, all the best looking jumpers are itchy on the neck and the others cast everywhere, like having the the most insufferable of felines around. Pumpkin spiced warm drinks can eff right off, and the cooler weather can join them. The candles all smell like pink aftershock and the thought of that syrupy liquor still makes me gag despite not having downed it since 2003. Leaf blowing must be the most futile of all the gardening tasks but yet is rife, with folks readily engaging in the practise throughout the land in all in their ghostbustery noisiness. This year I feel particularly short changed by summer, given that it was a non-event, and so I am not ready to give up frolicking and basking in place of cosying and snuggling down (and anyway, ‘snuggle’ is an irksome word, perennially).

Oh what cheer eh? Anyway, here is what I have (reluctantly) purchased for the new season, despite this bout of early autumn humbuggery.

This jumper, in this biscuit shade has already been such a useful one as it has unlocked the wearability of other items in my wardrobe. So far I have worn it with leather (shorts and trousers, FYI) capri pants (still pedal pushing those, and for that pun you are welcome), bright green trousers and with denim. I have worn it with red sleeves poking out under, and I have worn it with a shirt under. I know we are all about the earthy greens and rich burgundy shades, and we will get to that, but if it is neutral you are after (particularly with grey jeans and burgundy sleeves under) this is an excellent buy.

Zara dupe here, and and honorary mention to the Cos versions - slightly chunkier so better for deepest darkest winter.

We all know from last week how I feel about a Mary Jane, and my battered pair need upgrading and updating. It is harder to get right than you may think - we need the right amount of toe cleavage, the strap to cut the [c]ankle at the least tree stumpy place, we need a non aggressive toe shape, and the angle of the vamp or lack of side panel shouldn’t lead to muffin top foot love handle situation (sexy, eh). These MASSIMO DUTTI ones, photographed above, are beautifully soft leather and as comfortable as slippers. Size down if you are between sizes. The Zara curve heel ones are also pleasing to me for a different look - forever a fan of an off white heeled shoe.

Next up is more shoes, but this one is a secret to share. One word: Bobbies. French shoes of divine quality and help a rugged Irish woman to live out her parisienne chic dream. Their boots are fantastic, but for this time of year, and before we put our feet away for the foreseeable, the block heeled option are brilliant. The absolute best bit? I, still in my Del Boy Era, found a brand new pair on Vinted for a fraction of the cost. Don’t even run, sprint.

Shop here - note the outlet!

My last new purchase of the late is from H&M and I am feeling it. Their A/W collection is well worth checking out - so many absolute clinkers. This leather look boatneck merlot top was a snip. I’ve worn with white, with black and with similar merlot shades. It matches perfectly a favourite lipstick of mine (NARS Velvet matte lip in Endangered Red) which is also pleasing. It comes in black too. I had the small, which oddly was like a tent, so sized down to an extra small, so you may wish to too.

I wore exactly that middle outfit on a date recently, FYI - a story for another day.

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Back in your inbox on Sunday with another POEM.

Until then

Big Love

Una

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